Automated fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly

ABSTRACT

A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly ( 20 ) having an automatic retraction feature and an easy operation latch feature. An adjustment mechanism ( 30 ) is mounted between the seat cushion ( 22 ) and the seat riser ( 28 ) for providing fore and aft adjustment of the seat cushion. The seat assembly is characterized by a release mechanism ( 49 ) mounted adjacent the adjustment mechanism ( 30 ) for automatically unlocking the adjustment mechanism and moving the seat cushion toward the aft position during the tumbling of the seat assembly. The seat assembly also comprises a rear latch ( 70, 71 ) pivotally mounted to the rear seat support ( 50, 51 ) and moveable between an engaged position securing the seat assembly in the operative position and a disengaged position allowing the seat assembly to move into the tumbled position. A stop member ( 92, 94 ) pivotally mounted to the rear seat support ( 50, 51 ) holds the rear latch ( 70, 71 ) in the disengaged position.

This application claims the benifit of Provisional application No.60/103,600, filed Oct. 9, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The subject invention relates to a vehicle seat and more particularly toa vehicle seat of the fold and tumble type.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Fold and tumble vehicle seats are well known. Basically, seats of thistype include a seat riser which is constructed and arranged to engageforward and rearward floor anchors in a vehicle. The seat riser servesto support a seat cushion which in turn supports a foldable seat back.The advantage of a fold and tumble seats are that when the seat back isfolded into a forward storage position overlying the seat cushion andthe seat riser is released from the rear floor anchors and pivoted ortumbled forwardly about the forward floor anchors, the entire seat canbe move into a storage position allowing the vehicle floor from whichthe seat has been turned to be used for other activities. In addition,on many of the fold and tumble vehicle seats, the seat riser can bereleased from the forward floor anchors such that the entire seat can beremoved from the vehicle. Typically, a fold and tumble seat would be arear seat in a van, sport utility vehicle or the like. Examples of foldand tumble seats, which may or may not be removable, are found in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,700,989; 5,280,987; 5,282,662, 5,364,152; 5,671,965, and5,743,596; and German Patent No. 195 44 833.

It is sometimes desirable that a fold and tumble seat be capable of foreand aft adjustment within the vehicle. Such fore and aft adjustment isusually provided by conventional fore and aft seat tracks which allowthe seat to be moved forwardly from a rearwardly operative position intoa multiplicity of forward operative positions. One problem that ispresented by an adjustment of this type for a fold and tumble seat isthat when the seat is disposed in a forward operative position and itbecomes desirable to move the seat into its storage position, it isfirst necessary to move the seat cushion into its rearward operativeposition before effecting the fold and tumble movement of the seat intoits storage position. The initial rearward movement of the seat cushioninto its rearward operative position is desirable in order to preventthe forward portion of the folded seat back from engaging the floor andpreventing the seat from reaching its fill storage position. There exista need to simplify the fold and tumble procedure for fold and tumbleseats to alleviate the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly having an automatic retractionfeature and an easy operation latch feature. The seat assembly comprisesa seat cushion and a seat back mounted to the seat cushion. A seatriser, having forward and rearward ends, is mounted to the seat cushionfor supporting the seat assembly in an operative position. An adjustmentmechanism is mounted between the seat cushion and the seat riser forproviding selected fore and aft adjustment of the seat cushion. Alocking device is disposed on the adjustment mechanism for selectivelylocking the adjustment mechanism and the seat cushion to the seat riser.At least one rear seat support is mounted to the rearward end of theseat riser for supporting a rear portion of the seat assembly while theseat assembly is in the operative position. Similarly, at least onefront seat support is pivotally mounted to the forward end of the seatriser for supporting a front portion of the seat assembly while the seatassembly is in the operative position and for moving the seat assemblyto a tumbled position with the seat cushion pivoting upward about thefront seat supports. The seat assembly is characterized by a releasemechanism mounted adjacent the adjustment mechanism and selectivelyengaging the locking device for automatically unlocking the adjustmentmechanism and moving the seat cushion toward the aft position during thetumbling of the seat assembly.

The seat assembly also comprises a rear latch pivotally mounted to therear seat support and moveable between an engaged position securing theseat assembly in the operative position and a disengaged positionallowing the seat assembly to move into the tumbled position. The seatassembly is further characterized by a stop member pivotally mounted tothe rear seat support and engaging the rear latch when the rear latch isin the disengaged position to hold the rear latch in the disengagedposition.

An object of the present invention is to fulfill the need expressedabove. Preferably, the release mechanism is constructed and arranged tomove the seat cushion into the rearward operative position thereofduring and in response to the movement of the seat riser from theoperative position thereof to the storage position thereof.

Preferably, the fore and aft adjustment mechanism includes cooperatinglockable tracks mounted on the seat riser and the seat cushionrespectively which are constructed and arranged to move relatively foreand aft with respect to one another. A locking device is constructed andarranged to be moveable between a locking position preventing relativemovement between the cooperating tracks and a releasing positionenabling relative movement between the cooperating tracks. The releasemechanism is constructed and arranged to move the locking device fromthe locking position thereof into the releasing position thereof duringthe forward tumbling movement of the seat riser from the operativeposition thereof prior to the movement of the seat cushion from itsforward operative position into the rearward operative position thereof.

Preferably, the release mechanism is constructed and arranged to allowthe locking device to be returned into the locking position thereof inresponse to the movement of the seat riser back into the operativeposition thereof and the movement of the seat back into the operativeposition thereof.

Preferably, the seat riser includes a spring system constructed andarrange to aid in effecting the forward tumbling movement of the seatriser into the storage position thereof, which tumbling movement by theoperation of the release mechanism is responsive to effect the rearwardmovement of the seat cushion into the rearward position thereof.Optionally, a gas strut can be provided having sufficient springingforce to effect the tumbling movement of the seat riser into the storageposition thereof without manual assistance irrespective of how farrearward the seat cushion must be moved by the release mechanism inresponse to the tumbling movement to reach the rearward positionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a fold and tumble vehicle seatassembly in an operative position and constructed according to theprinciples of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 1showing a seat back in a folded position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the seat assembly takenalong line 3—3 of FIG. 2 with a seat cushion and the seat back removed;

FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the seat assemblytaken along line 4—4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the seat assemblytaken along line 5—5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the seat assembly taken along line 6—6 of FIG.3;

FIG. 7 is an isolated side view of a release mechanism constructedaccording to the principles of the subject invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the release mechanism of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view of the seat assembly takenalong line 9—9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a partially cross-sectional view of the seat assembly takenalong line 10—10FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 4 showing afirst rear leg in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 5 showing asecond rear leg in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 5 showingthe seat assembly in a partially tumbled position;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 13 after therelease mechanism has actuated a release handle;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 4 showingthe seat assembly in a partially tumbled position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 5 showingthe seat assembly in a fully tumbled position;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 4 showingthe seat assembly in a fully tumbled position;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the seat assembly similar to FIG. 5 showingthe seat assembly in a partially tumbled position as the seat assemblymoves out of the fully tumbled position;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first rear leg structureprior to engagement with a rod member in a conventional vehicle floorwell structure;

FIG. 20 is a view similar FIG. 19 showing the configuration of the firstrear leg structure after engagement with the rod member but prior torelocking therewith;

FIG. 21 is a view similar FIG. 19 showing the configuration of the firstrear leg structure after relocking with the rod member;

FIG. 22 is a view similar FIG. 19 showing the configuration of the firstrear leg structure after relocking with the rod member when the vehicleis in a sudden stop situation;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second front leg structureshowing the second front leg structure in locking engagement with afront well structure;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing the second front legstructure out of locking engagement with the front well structure; and

FIG. 25 is side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of theseat riser showing a gas strut incorporated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a fold and tumblevehicle seat assembly is generally shown at 20. The vehicle seatassembly 20 comprises a seat cushion 22 and a foldable seat back 24pivotally mounted to the seat cushion 22. The seat assembly 20 alsoincludes a seat back recliner 26, a seat riser 28 and a fore and aftadjustment mechanism, generally designated 30. The seat riser 28releasably engages conventional forward anchors 32 and rearward anchors34 fixed to a vehicle floor 36 and supports the seat cushion 22 in anoperative position. The seat back recliner 26 pivotally mounts the seatback 24 on the seat cushion 22 so the seat back 24 can be released fromthe operative position and folded forwardly to a storage positionoverlying the seat cushion 22 as shown in FIG. 2.

The seat cushion 22 is mounted on the seat riser 28 by the adjustmentmechanism 30 such that the seat cushion 22 can be moved fore and aftwhen the seat assembly 20 is in the operative position. The adjustmentmechanism 30 includes conventional cooperating lockable tracks 38comprising a pair of fixed tracks 40 mounted on the seat riser 28 and apair of movable tracks 42 mounted on the seat cushion 22. The movabletracks 42 are interengaged with and rollingly supported by the fixedtracks 40.

The seat cushion 22 and the seat back 24 are each include a coveredcushion mounted to a frame (not visible) preferably made of metal. Theframe of the seat back 24 and the frame of the seat cushion 22 can beconstructed of any material of adequate strength such as high strengthaluminum. The seat riser 28 is preferably constructed of steel, but canbe constructed of any material of adequate strength.

The seat back recliner 26 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a conventionalsector gear recliner mechanism. A release handle 44 is mounted on theframe of the seat cushion 22 and is spring-biased into a sector gear 46of the recliner 26 mounted on the frame of the seat back 24 to hold theseat back 24 in the operative position.

A conventional bowden wire cable 48 is mounted between the releasehandle 44 and a rear seat support 50 of the seat riser 28. The handle 44can be used to adjust the reclining position of the seat back 24 and tofold and tumble the seat assembly 20. Specifically, the release handle44 is moveable between an engaged position interlocking the recliner 26to secure the seat back 24 in a desired inclination and a disengagedposition releasing the recliner 26 to allow the seat back 24 to pivotdownward against the seat cushion 22. When the seat back 24 is folded tothe storage position, the release handle 44 can actuate the bowden wirecable 48 to unlatch the rear seat supports from the rearward anchors 34(as shown in FIG. 2) so that the seat assembly 20 can be tumbled to thestorage position.

When the seat assembly 20 is in the operative position, the lockabletracks 38 allow the seat assembly 20 to be adjusted to move the seatcushion 22 forwardly from a rearward operative position into amultiplicity of forward operative positions. When the seat cushion 22 isin a forward operative position and it is desired to fold and tumble theseat assembly 20 to the storage position, it is desirable to move theseat cushion 22 into its rearward operative position during the fold andtumble movement to prevent the seat assembly 20 from engaging the floor36 because contact between the seat assembly 20 and the floor 36 mayprevent the seat assembly 20 from completely moving into the storageposition.

The seat assembly 20 incorporates an automatic retraction feature.Specifically, the seat assembly 20 is characterized by a releasemechanism 49 mounted adjacent the adjustment mechanism 30 andselectively engaging a locking device 118 for automatically unlockingthe adjustment mechanism 30 and moving the seat cushion 22 toward theaft position during the tumbling of the seat assembly 20. The releasemechanism 49 is mounted on the seat riser 28 to move the seat cushion 22into its rearward operative position during the fold and tumble movementof the seat assembly 20. FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate the seat riser 28,the adjustment mechanism 30 and the release mechanism 49 when the seatassembly 20 is in the operative position, i.e., the normal seatingposition. The seat cushion 22, seat back 24 and the seat back recliner26 are not shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 to more clearly illustrate therelease mechanism 49, the seat riser 28 and associated structures.

The seat riser 28, has forward and rearward ends, and includes a firstriser member 53, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 11, 15 and 17, and a secondriser member 54, shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18. To clarifythe foregoing description, the first riser member 53 will be furtherillustrated as an outboard riser 53 and the second riser member 54 willbe further illustrated as an inboard riser 54. Both the outboard 53 andinboard 54 risers have exterior and interior sides. As appreciated, theexterior sides of the risers 53, 54 are the sides that are at leastpartially exposed to the interior of the vehicle. The interior sides ofthe risers 53, 54 face inward toward each other within the seat assembly10. The exterior side of the outboard riser 53 is shown in FIGS. 1 and2. The interior side of the outboard riser 53 is shown in FIGS. 4, 11,15 and 17. The exterior side of the inboard riser 54 is only shown inFIG. 6. FIGS. 5, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18 illustrate the interior side ofthe inboard riser 54.

At least one rear seat support 50, 51 is mounted to the rearward end ofthe seat riser 28 for supporting a rear portion of the seat assembly 20while the seat assembly 20 is in the operative position. At least onefront seat support 56, 62 is pivotally mounted to the forward end of theseat riser 28 for supporting a front portion of the seat assembly 20while the seat assembly 20 is in the operative position and for movingthe seat assembly 20 to the tumbled position with the seat cushion 22pivoting upward about the front seat supports 56, 62. The at least onerear seat support 50, 51 preferably comprises first 50 and second 51rear legs each having a rear latch 70, 71. Similarly, the at least onefront seat support 56, 62 preferably comprises first 56 and second 62front legs each having a front latch 66, 67. The rear latches 70, 71 arepivotally mounted to the rear seat supports 50, 51 and moveable betweenan engaged position securing the seat assembly 20 in the operativeposition and a disengaged position allowing the seat assembly 20 to moveinto the tumbled position.

The first front leg 56 and the first rear leg 50 are pivotally mountedto the outboard riser 53 by rivets 58, 59 (shown in FIG. 1),respectively. The second front leg 62 and the second rear leg 51 arepivotally mounted to the inboard riser 54 by rivets 64, 61,respectively. The front legs 56, 62 are releasably locked to respectiveforward anchors 32 by spring-biased front latches 66, 67 pivotallymounted on the front legs 56, 62 by rivets 68, 73, respectively. Therear legs 50, 51 are releasably locked to respective rearward anchors 34by spring-biased rear latches 70, 71 pivotally mounted on the rear legs50, 51 by rivets 72, 74, respectively.

First and second release structures 84, 86 are pivotally mounted inoperative relation to the rear latches 70, 71, respectively, by aconnector member 79. The release structures 84, 86,are mounted to eachof the corresponding rear legs 50, 51 to move the rear latches 70, 71between the engaged and disengaged positions. Each of the releasestructures 84, 86 includes an outwardly extending arm 88, 89. Theconnector member 79 connects each of the arms 88, 89 of the releasestructures 84, 86 such that both of the release structures 84, 86 movein unison. The connector member 79 is pivotally mounted between the rearlegs 50, 51 and the release structures 84, 86 are rigidly mounted on theconnector member 79 such that when the release structures 84, 86 move ina releasing direction, they move the rear latches 70, 71 in an unlatchdirection.

The bowden wire cable 48 is operatively connected to the arm portion 88(as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first release structure 84 tomove the first release structure 84 in the latch releasing directionwhen the wire cable 48 is actuated. Because, the release structures 84,86 are rigidly connected together by member 79, the actuated bowden wirecable 48 moves both release structures 84, 86 simultaneously to unlatchthe rear legs 50, 51 from the rearward anchors 34.

The seat assembly 20 also incorporates an easy operation latch feature.Specifically, the seat assembly 20 is characterized by a stop member 92,94 pivotally mounted to the rear seat supports 50, 51 and engaging therear latches 70, 71 when the rear latches 70, 71 are in the disengagedposition to hold the rear latches 70, 71 in the disengaged position. TheU-shaped stop members 92, 94 are pivotally mounted respectively to thefirst and second rear legs 50, 51 by rivets 96. A biasing member 98, 100is connected to each of the stop members 92, 94 for continuously biasingthe stop members 92, 94 toward the engagement with the correspondingrear latches 70, 71. Preferably, the biasing members 98, 100 are hairpinsprings 98, 100 biasing the stop members 92, 94 to move into stoppingrelation with the rear latches 70, 71 when the rear legs 50, 51 areunlatched from the rearward anchors 34 to hold the latches 70, 71 in anopen position to facilitate reengagement of the rear legs 50, 51 withthe rearward anchors 34.

Clock-type springs 102, 104 are mounted on the rivets 58, 64 secured tothe risers 53, 54 respectively, to bias the seat assembly 20 from theoperative position toward the storage position when the rear leg 50, 51are disengaged from the rearward anchors 34. The springs; 102, 104comprise a spring system, generally designated 106 that helps tumble theseat assembly 20. Specifically, the spring system 106 is mounted abouteach of the first 56 and second 62 front legs to assist the upwardpivoting movement of seat assembly 20 during the tumbling of the seatassembly 20.

The fixed tracks 40 are mounted on the risers 53, 54 by conventionalbolts 75 and are reinforced by front and rear spacer members 76, 78 onoutboard riser 53 and front and rear spacer members 80, 82 on inboardriser 54. Conventional bolts 83 extend from the movable track 42 tomount the seat cushion 22 thereon.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the seat riser 28 includes a front supportstructure 108 rigidly attached between the risers 53, 54, to reinforcethe seat riser 28, a rear support structure 110 rigidly attached betweenthe rear legs 50, 51, and a front leg release handle 112 rigidly securedbetween the front latches 66, 67. A track release handle 114 ispivotally mounted on supports 116 mounted on the movable tracks 42 andengage the track locking device 118 on the lockable tracks 38 to unlockthe movable tracks 42 from the fixed tracks 40. The locking device 118is disposed on the adjustment mechanism 30 for selectively locking theadjustment mechanism 30 and the seat cushion 22 to the seat riser 28.

Coil springs 120, 122 are mounted, respectively, on rivets 68, 73 andengage the front leg release handle 112 to bias the front latches 66, 67in a latching direction toward and into latching engagement with theforward anchors 32.

When the vehicle seat assembly 20 is in the operative position, twocylindrical stop members 124, secured to the risers 53, 54,respectively, cooperate with upper straight edge portions 126 on thefront latches 66, 67 to prevent the latches 66, 67 from being releasedfrom the forward anchors 32.

The release mechanism 49 is shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16 and18 mounted on the inboard riser 54 of the seat riser 28. In other words,the release mechanism 49 is mounted to the interior side of the inboardriser 54. The release mechanism 49 is also shown in cross-sectionmounted on the inboard riser 54 in FIGS. 9 and 10 and in isolation inFIGS. 7 and 8. The release mechanism 49 includes a housing 128, amovable portion 130 and a pinion gear mechanism 132. The housing 128 ismounted to the seat riser 28 for supporting the release mechanism 49near the adjustment mechanism 30 and the locking device 118. Themoveable portion 130 is movably mounted within the housing 128 between adisengaged position spaced from the locking device 118 and an engagedposition abutting the locking device 118. The pinion gear mechanism 132is coupled to the movable portion 130 for slideably moving the movableportion 130 between the disengaged and engaged positions. The housing128 and the movable portion 130 are preferably each integral structurespreferably made of a molded plastic such as Dupont DELRIN or preferablyNylon 101.

A planar structure 134 formed on the housing 128 is secured between thefixed track 40 mounted on the inboard riser 54 and a top surface of theinboard riser 54 as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 to rigidly mount thehousing 128 on the seat riser 28. A plurality of integral first legs 136hookingly engage the inboard riser 54. A plurality of downwardlyextending second legs 138 each terminate in hook-like structures 140 toengage a plurality of square apertures 142 in the inboard riser 54. Thefirst and second legs 136, 138 cooperate to snap-fit the housing 128 onthe second side 54 of the seat riser 28 to help facilitate the mountingof the fixed track 40 and to hold the housing 128 on the seat riser 28.The planar structure 134 on the housing 128 maintains the housing 18 inspaced relation with the inboard riser 54 and plurality of rectangularbox-like structures 144 integrally formed on the housing 128 are incontact with the inboard riser 54 and provide lateral support for thehousing 128.

The housing 128 has an oval slot 146 and a series of integral teeth 148formed adjacent the slot 146. The movable portion 130 is movablydisposed in the housing 128 and is provided with a series of teeth 150and an upwardly extending finger structure 152. The projecting finger152 engaging the locking device 118 when the moveable portion 130 is inthe engaged position. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movable portion130 has side extensions 162 that are received within grooves 164 in thehousing 128 to slidably mount the movable portion 130 in the housing128.

The pinion gear mechanism 132 comprises an actuation rod 154 and apinion gear 156 rotatably mounted on the rod 154 by a spacer rivet 158.The gear 156 is coupled to the teeth 150 of the movable portion 130 formoving the movable portion 130. The actuation rod 154 has a first endmounted to the gear 156 and a second end mounted to one of the frontseat supports 56, 62 such that movement of the seat assembly 20 towardthe tumbled position moves the housing 128 about the pinion gearmechanism 132 which rotates the gear 156 and slideably moves the movableportion 130. The actuation rod 154 and rivet 158 are preferably made ofsteel and the gear 156 is a molded plastic structure preferably made ofNylon 101, although Dupont DELRIN could also be used.

The gear 156 is rollingly disposed in the housing 128 and engages theteeth 148 in the housing 128 and the teeth 150 on the movable portion130. The forward end of the actuation rod 154 is shaped to pivotallyengage an aperture 160 in the second front leg 62 so that when the seatriser 28 is tumbled forward, the gear 156 is driven rearwardly withrespect to the housing 128.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the movable track 42 interengaged with the fixedtrack 40. A plurality of rollers 166 and guide structures 168 facilitatethe sliding engagement between the fixed tracks 40 and the movabletracks 42. A lock mounting structure 170 or lock plate 170 is disposedon each movable track 42 and is part of the track locking device 118 oneach pair of tracks 40, 42. In other words, the locking device 118includes a lock plate 170 selectively engaging the adjustment mechanism30 to selectively lock the adjustment mechanism 30. One of the lockplates 170 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The lockable tracks 38 areunlocked by moving both the lock plates 170 on the tracks 40, 42 from alocking position downwardly against the spring force provide by aplurality of spring arms 172 to a releasing position. When the lockabletrack 38 are unlocked, the movable tracks 42 can move fore and aft withrespect to the fixed tracks 40. The details of the track structure andoperation of the cooperating tracks 40, 42 and the track locking device118 are fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,000, issued Apr. 21,1998, and entitled “Vehicle Seat Track Assembly” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety into the present applicationand will not be considered further herein.

When the movable portion 130 is moved rearwardly, the finger structure152 impacts a pivoting lever 174 to unlock and then rearwardly move theseat cushion 22. The pivoting lever 174 is pivotally mounted by a rivet176 on the movable track 42 on the inboard riser 54. The lever 174 hasan upwardly extending portion 178, a downwardly extending portion 180and an arm portion 182. A stop structure 184 struck from the movabletrack 42 limits the pivotal movement of the pivoting lever 174 in a lockreleasing direction.

A U-shaped bracket member 186 is provided on the release handle 114 toengage the lock plate 170 on the inboard riser 54 of the seat riser 28.The support 116 on the adjacent movable track 42 extends through anaperture 189 in the bracket member 186 to pivotally mount the handle 114to the lockable track 38. An arm 188 extends rearwardly from the bracketmember 186 and engages the lock plate 170 through a first lock releasepin 190. The arm 188 has an upward camming edge 194 and a lower abutmentsurface (not numbered) such that the lower abutment surface selectivelyengages the lock plate 170 to unlock the adjustment mechanism 30. Thefinger 152 of the movable portion 130 engages the downward portion 180to rotate the pivoting lever 174 and move the upward portion 178 intoengagement with the camming edge 194 of the arm 188 which pushes the arm188 into engagement with the lock plate 170 to unlock the adjustmentmechanism 30. As best seen in FIG. 3, the first lock release pin 190engages the top surface of the adjacent lock plate 170 to depress thesame when the release handle 114 is actuated by lifting the forwardportion thereof. A second lock release pin 192 is secured to the handle114 and engages a central bore in the adjacent lock plate 170 of theoutboard riser 53 of the seat riser 28.

OPERATION

The seat assembly 20 is shown in the latched and operative position,i.e., the seating position, in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6. The seat cushion 22can be adjusted fore and aft by manually unlocking the lockable tracks38 with the track release handle 114. When the handle 114 is lifted froman equilibrium position to an actuated position, the handle 114 pivotsabout supports 116 and the pins 190, 192 on the handle 114 move the lockplates 170 downwardly to unlock the tracks 38.

The seat cushion 22 and seat back 24 can then be moved together into amultiplicity of operative positions including a multiplicity of forwardoperative positions spaced forwardly of a rearward operative position.The looping of the bowden wire cable 48 provides sufficient length ofthe wire cable 48 to allow fore and aft movement of the seat cushion 22without interference. When the handle 114 is released, the spring arms172 return the handle 114 to its equilibrium position and relock thelockable tracks 38. As discussed above, the incremental adjustment ofthe seat assembly 20 including the details of the track locking device118 is known in the art.

If the seat cushion 22 is in a forward operative position when the seatassembly 20 is tumbled forward to the storage position, the seat cushion22, the movable track 42 or the seat back 24 may contact the vehiclefloor 36 unless the seat cushion 22 is rearwardly displaced to therearward operative position thereof before the folding and tumblingoperation is completed. The release mechanism 49 is constructed andarranged to unlock the lockable tracks 38 and move the seat cushion 22and associated structures from a forward operative position rearwardlyto the rearward operative position during the tumbling movement so thatno portion of the seat assembly 20 contacts the vehicle floor 36.

To fold and tumble the seat assembly 20, the seat back 24 is firstfolded into its storage position as shown in FIG. 2. The rear legs arethen automatically released from their respective rearward anchors 34 asshown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12. The seat assembly 20 can then be tumbled toit storage position as will be discussed herein below.

The release handle 44 is used both to fold the seat back 24 and tounlatch the rear legs 50, 51, but the seat back recliner 26 isconstructed and arranged to prevent the rear legs 50, 51 from beingunlatched until the seat back 24 is folded. More particularly, when theseat assembly 20 is in the operative position, raising the releasehandle 44 moves the handle 44 in a releasing direction out of engagementwith the sector gear 46 so the seat back 24 can be moved into amultiplicity of operative reclining positions within a predeterminedrecliner operating range.

A blocking device 198 is disposed on the recliner 26 for abutting therelease handle 44 when the seat back 24 is in the desired inclination toprevent actuation of the release structures 84, 86 and for allowing therelease handle 44 to move such that the release structures 84, 86 may beactuated when the seat back 24 is disposed over the seat cushion 22.Preferably, the blocking device 198 is a pin 198 such that when the seatassembly 20 is in the operative position, the pin 198 is positioned torestrict the movement of the handle 44 in the releasing direction toprevent the bowden wire cable 48 from being actuated.

The release handle 44 is spring biased by a coil spring 196 so that whenthe handle 44 is released, it pivots in a seat back locking direction toreengage the sector gear 46 and lock the seat back 24 in an operativeposition within its reclining operating range.

To fold the seat back 24, the release handle 44 is moved in thereleasing direction to disengage the handle 44 from the sector gear 46,to unlock the seat back 24 and the seat back 24 is manually pivotedforwardly to the folded position. The seat back 24 is preferablyspring-biased by a conventional seat back spring (not shown) forwardlythrough its recliner operating range toward and into its most erectposition, but preferably the seat back spring does not bias the seatback 24 forwardly beyond the most erect position to the folded position.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the seat back 24 is folded, the pin 198 moveswith the seat back 24 so that it is no longer positioned to restrict thepivotal movement of the release handle 44 when it moves in the releasingdirection. The release handle 44 can then be pivoted an additionaldistance in the releasing direction through its full actuation stroke tothe position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 to tension the cable in thebowden wire cable 48 to unlock the rear legs 50, 51. The locking orequilibrium position of the release handle 44 is shown in phantom linesin FIG. 2.

The pin 198 is spring-biased downwardly in a slot 200 in the seat back24 so that when the seat back 24 is an operative position within itsrecliner operating range, the pin 198 is biased against the bottom ofthe notch 200 in the seat back recliner 26 to limit the movement of therelease handle 44.

When the seat back 24 is folded and the handle 44 is fully actuated, thebowden wire cable 48 pulls the arm 88 of the release structure 84forwardly which pivots both release structures 84, 86 and the connectormember 79 in an unlatching direction to unlatch the rear legs 50, 51from the rearward anchors 34. As can be appreciated from a comparison,FIGS. 4 and 11 and FIGS. 5 and 12, rearwardly extending portions 204 ofthe release structures 84, 86 engage integral second extensionstructures 206 on the rear latches 70, 71 to pivot the latches againstthe spring force of coil spring 208 out of locking engagement with therearward anchors 34. As discussed above, the unlatched configuration ofthe rear legs 50, 51 before tumbling is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 11 and12.

The clock springs 102, 104 of the spring system 106 tend to tumble theseat forwardly toward the storage position so that the rearward portionof the seat tends to move away from the rearward anchors 34 when therear legs 50, 51 are unlatched.

When the rear legs 50, 51 are lifted away from the rearward anchor 34,the hairpin springs 98 pivot the stop members 92, 94 into blockingrelation with the latches 70, 71 and prevent the rear latches 70, 71from returning to their latched positions when the handle 44 isreleased. The stop members 92, 94 hold the latches 70, 71 in an openposition until the rear legs 50, 51 are relatched to the rearwardanchors 34.

FIGS. 13 through 18 illustrate the tumbling movement of the seatassembly 20 to the storage position. These figures indicate that thefront legs 56, 62 remain engaged with the forward anchors 32 during thetumbling movement. The housing 128 of the release mechanism 49 tumblesforwardly with the seat riser 28 about the stationary legs 56, 62.Because the free end of the actuation rod 154 is pivotally mounted tothe stationary second front leg 62, the drive gear 156 is drivenrearwardly with respect to the housing 128 as the tumbling movementoccurs which causes the movable portion 130 to move rearwardly withrespect to the housing 128. The finger 152 impact the downwardlyextending portion 180 of the lever 174 as shown in FIG. 13 and pivotsthe lever 174 in an unlocking direction to the position shown in FIG.14.

As the pivoting lever 174 moves in the unlocking direction, the lever174 cams over the camming edge 194 on the arm 18 of the track releasehandle 114 to move the handle 114 from its equilibrium position (shownin FIG. 13) to its actuated position (shown in FIG. 14) to unlock thelockable tracks 38. The finger 152 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 13)moves the lever 174 in the unlocking direction until the arm 182contacts the stop member 184.

The release handle 114 sufficiently rigid to move the lock plate 170 onthe outboard riser 53 of the seat riser 28 to its releasing position asindicated by FIG. 15 which shows the configuration of the seat riser 28and associated structures when the inboard riser 54 is in the positionshown in FIG. 14. The adjustment mechanism 30 is now unlocked. Furthertumbling of the seat assembly 20 toward the storage position causes themovable portion 130 to move the seat cushion 22 rearwardly to itsrearward operative position. Specifically, the drive gear 156 continuesto drive rearwardly with respect to the housing 128 which continues tomove the movable portion 130 rearwardly. The finger 152 pushesrearwardly on the downwardly extending portion 180 which in turnrearwardly moves the movable tracks 42 rearward relative to the fixedtracks 40.

This rearward movement of the seat cushion 22 prevents any portion ofthe seat assembly 20 from contacting the vehicle floor 36 during thetumbling operation and interfering with the tumbling movement. Aconnector arm 210 on the outboard riser 53 of the seat riser 28 ispivotally mounted between the first rear leg 50 and first front leg 56for moving the rear legs 50, 51 into folded positions (shown in FIGS. 16and 17) as the seat assembly 20 tumbles to the storage position.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the storage position of the seat riser 28 andassociated structures. In this storage position, the seat cushion 22 isin the rearward operative position and the lockable tracks 38 are stillunlocked. The seat cushion 22 is retained in the rearward operativeposition by the pinion gear mechanism 132 which prevents the movablestructure 130 from moving forward in the housing 128.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate that the fully tumbled position is realizedwhen the cylindrical stop members 124 on the seat riser 28 engage backedge portions 212 of the two front legs 56, 62. The spring forceprovided by the spring system 106 tends to maintain the vehicle seatassembly 20 in the tumbled position.

To return the seat assembly 20 to the operative position, the userapplies moderate manual pressure to pivot the seat assembly 20 in therearward direction. This rearward movement moves the gear mechanism 156forwardly with respect to the housing 128 which, in turn, causes themovable portion 130 to move forwardly within housing 128. The forwardmovement of the movable portion 130 reduces the biasing force on thepivoting lever 174 which causes the camming edge 194 on the trackrelease handle 114 to cam the pivoting lever 174 forwardly about therivet 176. The spring force provided by the spring arms 172 returns therelease handle 114 to its equilibrium position, relocks the lockabletracks 38 and returns the lever 174 to is fully forwardly pivotedposition. The tracks 38 relock the seat cushion 22 in or near therearward operative position thereof as the vehicle seat assembly 20 isreturned to the operative position. FIG. 18 illustrates the seat riser28 and associated structures as the user begins to return the seatassembly 20 to the operative position. In other words, the gearstructure 156 and movable structure 130 have moved forward slightly withrespect to the housing 128, the release handle 114 has returned to thenormal position and the tracks 38 are relocked.

As the seat assembly 20 moves back toward the operative position, theconnector am 210 moves the rear legs 50, 51 from their folded positionsinto their operative positions to reengage the rearward anchors 34.FIGS. 19 through 21 illustrate the reengagement of the rear legs 56, 51with the rearward anchors 34. This reengagement occurs by simply movingthe seat assembly 20 downwardly. There is no need to reactuate themanual release handle 44 to move the rear latches 70, 71 to theirunlatched positions because the stop members 2 94 hold them open. Onlythe first rear leg 50 is shown in FIGS. 19 through 21, but the secondrear leg 51 simultaneously relocks with one of the rearward anchors 34in essentially the same way. Therefore the following description of thefirst rear leg 50 applies to the second rear leg 51 also.

When the stop member 92 impacts the rearward anchor 34, the stop member92 moves out of stopping relation with the rear latch 70 so that whenthe first rear leg 50 impacts the rearward anchor 34, the force providedby the coil spring 208 can move the latch 70 back into lockingengagement with the rearward anchor 34. The spring force of the coilspring 208 simultaneously returns the release structure 84, the innerarm portion 88 and the connector member 79 to equilibrium position.

After the seat riser 28 is reengaged with the rearward anchors 34, theseat back 24 is manually pivoted from the storage position to theoperative position within the recliner operating range. The releasehandle 44 is spring-biased to reengage the sector gear 46 to releasablylock the seat back 24 in an operative position.

The front legs 56, 62 remain locked to the forward anchors 32 when theseat assembly 20 is tumbled to the storage position. The front legs 56,62 can only be unlocked from the forward anchors 32 when the vehicleseat assembly 20 is in the tumbled position. When the seat assembly 20is in the operative position, the stop members 124 on the seat riser 28engage of the front latches 66, 67 to prevent movement of the frontlatches 66, 67 in an unlocking direction. Even though front leg releasehandle 112 is accessible to the vehicle user when the vehicle seatassembly 20 is in the operative position, the handle 112 cannot beactuated to unlock the front legs 56, 62 from the vehicle floor 36 untilthe seat assembly 20 is tumbled to move the stop members 124 out oflocking engagement with the front latches 66, 67.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate the unlocking and removal of the second frontleg 62 from a forward anchor 32. The track release handle 114 is notshown and only a fragmentary portion of the actuation rod 154 of therelease mechanism 49 is shown to more clearly illustrate the seatremoving operation. It can be understood that the following discussionof the operation and structural features of the second front leg 62 (andassociated structures) applies to the first front leg 56 (and associatedstructures) as well because the lower portions of the front legs 56, 62,including a v-shaped notch 214 and a rearwardly extending notch 216, aremirror images and because the latches 66, 67 pivot together because theyare both secured to the front release handle 112.

FIG. 23 shows a portion of the seat riser 28 in the operative positionand the second front leg 62 in the locked position. The second front leg62 cannot be unlocked because the stop member 124 is engaged with thelatch 67. Tumbling the seat assembly 20 moves the stop member 124 out ofstopping relation with the latch 67. The front leg release handle. 112can now be moved in an unlatching direction to unlatch the front leg 62.A directional arrow in FIG. 24 indicates the unlatching direction.Contact between a stop structure 218 on the latch 67 and rivet 64 limitsthe pivoting movement of the handle 112 in the unlatching direction. Acomparison of FIGS. 23 and 24 indicates that when the seat assembly 20is removed, it is in the fully tumbled configuration and the releasemechanism 49 has moved the seat cushion 22 to the rearward operativeposition.

When the seat assembly 20 is removed and the front leg release handle112 is released, the coil spring 122 tends to pivot the handle 112 in alatching direction until a front edge portion is stopped against a tabportion 220 struck from the front leg 62.

To reinstall the seat assembly 20, the rear notch 216 is placed on arearward rod member 222 of the forward anchor 32 and the front legrelease handle 112 is moved in the unlatching direction so that aforward rod member 224 can enter the notch 214. The handle 112 isreleased and the coil spring 122 moves the latch 67 in latchingdirection to relatch the seat assembly 20 to the forward anchor 32. Theseat assembly 20 is then returned from the storage position to theoperative position in the manner described above. A camming actionbetween the stop member 124 and the straight edge 126 on the latch 67cams the latch 67 into full locked engagement with the forward rodmember 224 as the seat assembly 20 returns to the operative position.

FIG. 22 illustrates a sudden stop situation when the seat assembly 20 isin the operative position. Only the first rear leg 50 is shown, but thediscussion applies to the second rear leg 51 as well. Cooperationbetween the release structure 84 and the latch 70 prevents the seat frombeing disengaged from the rearward anchor. Specifically, contact betweenthe rearward extension portion 204 on the first release structure 84 anda first extension structure 226 on the latch 70 prevents the latch frommoving in an unlatching direction and the rear leg 50 from becomingunlatched from the rearward anchors 34 in the event of a sudden stop ofthe vehicle.

FIG. 25 shows an alternative embodiment of the vehicle seat assembly 20that includes a conventional gas strut 230 mounted on the outside of theseat riser 28. The seat cushion 22, the seat back 24, the seat backrecliner 26 and the bowden wire cable 48 of the seat assembly 20 are notshown. Structures on the seat assembly 20 of the preferred embodimentthat are similar to structures on the seat assembly 20 of thisalternative embodiment are given like reference numerals. The gas strut230 comprises a housing 232 and a spring-biased piston member 234slidably disposed in the housing 232. The housing 232 is pivotallymounted to the first front leg 56 by a rivet 236 and the piston member234 is pivotally mounted on a rearward portion of the outboard riser 53of the seat riser 28 by a rivet 238.

The optional conventional gas strut 230 can be used with clocktypesprings 102, 104 mounted as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5 toprovide sufficient spring force to tumble the seat assembly 20 to thestorage position without manual assistance regardless of the startingposition of the seat cushion 22 and without pivoting the seat assembly20 at an excessive speed or, alternatively, the gas strut 230 can beused alone without any other springs to provide assistance in tumblingthe seat assembly 20.

Because the release mechanism 49 (not visible in FIG. 25) unlocks thecooperating tracks 38 and moves the seat cushion 22 to the rearwardoperative position during the tumbling operation, the torsional forcerequired to fully tumble the seat will vary depending on the rearwarddistance the seat cushion 22 which must be moved during the tumblingoperation. The farther forward the seat cushion 22 when the tumblingoperation begins, the greater the torsional force required to fullytumble the seat assembly 20. When the clock springs 102, 114 are usedalone to provide the spring force, the springs 102, 104 are preferablyconstructed and arranged to provide enough to fully tumble the seatassembly 20 at a safe rate of speed when the seat cushion 22 is in therearward operative position prior to tumbling. If the springs 102, 104are constructed to be powerful enough to fully tumble the seat assembly20 when the seat cushion 22 is in a forward operative position, the seatassembly 20 may tumble too rapidly if the seat cushion 22 in or near therearward operative position immediately prior to the commencement of thetumbling operation.

Excessively rapid tumbling is undesirable because it may injure thevehicle user. This means however, that when the seat cushion 22 ispositioned fully or partially forward of the rearward operative positionwhen tumbling commences, the spring 102, 104 alone may not providesufficient spring-force to fully tumble the seat assembly 20.

Conventional gas strut structure such as strut 230 provide great springforce at a controlled speed because a controlled fluid flow occurswithin the gas strut 230 in a well known manner as the piston member 234moves linearly out of the housing 232 which moderates the rate of thismovement.

The piston members of some conventional gas struts must be slightlypulled out of the housing before the spring mechanism is actuated. Onceactuated, the spring mechanism will linearly displace the piston memberoutwardly from the housing at a predetermined rate. When the strut 230is of this type and is used in combination with the clock springs 102,104, the clock springs 102, 104 can be constructed to provide theinitial movement required to actuate the strut 230. Once actuated, thegas strut 230 will fully tumble the seat assembly 20 at a controlledrate of speed regardless of the initial position of the seat cushion 22.

Alternatively, if the strut 230 is of this type and is used alonewithout the springs 102, 104, the user may need to manually tumble theseat assembly 20 a short distance to actuate the strut 230. Therefore itis contemplated to use the gas strut 230 alone or with the additionalspring structures such as the clock springs 102, 104. The gas strut 230provides increased and controlled torsional force, but may result ingreater vehicle weight and seat construction cost.

The embodiments of the vehicle seat assembly 20 illustrated anddescribed herein are exemplary only and variations of the structure ofthe seat assembly 20 are envisioned. For example, the vehicle seatassembly 20 is shown provided with a single manual release handle 44which serves two functions: 1) the handle 44 unlocks and relocks theseat back 24 to adjust the reclining position and to fold the seat back24; and 2) the handle 44 unlocks the rear legs 50, 51 from the rearwardanchors 34. As described above, this single handle 44 moves through aportion of its full stroke to unlock the seat back 24 for recliningadjustment and folding movement and is prevented from moving through itsfull stroke to unlock the legs 50, 51 until the seat back 24 is folded.

An alternative embodiment is contemplated which provides two separatehandles (not shown) including a first handle that controls the recliningand folding action of the seat back 24 and a second handle that controlsthe unlocking of the rear legs 50, 51. When two handles are provided, afirst two handle embodiment is contemplated, in which the handlesoperate interdependently or, alternatively, a second two handleembodiment could be provided in which the two handles operateindependently.

If the first two handle embodiment is included in the vehicle seatassembly 20 so that the handles operate interdependently, the seat backrelease lever (referred to below as the “folding lever”) that actuatesthe recliner and also actuates the folding mechanism would beconstructed and arranged to prevent the rear leg lock release lever(referred to below as the “tumbling lever”) that unlatches the rear legs50, 51 from being actuated until the seat back 24 is folded. Thus, thefolding lever would lock-out or prevent the tumbling lever fromoperating until the seat back 24 is folded.

If the second two handle embodiment is included in the vehicle seatassembly 20 so that the handles operate independently, the folding leverwould have no lock-out mechanism to prevent the tumbling lever frombeing actuated and operator judgment would be relied upon for thesuccessful fold and tumble operation of the vehicle seat assembly 20.More specifically, the operator's judgment would be relied upon to notunlock the rear legs 50, 51 and begin vehicle seat tumbling until theseat back 24 has first been folded.

It is appreciated that the vehicle seat assembly 20 may utilize anyknown type of recliner including any sector gear-type recliner mechanismor any liner-type recliner. It is also contemplated to construct theseat back 24 without a recliner such that the seat back 24 remains in asingle position when the seat assembly 20 is in the operative positionand can be raised and folded into a storage position.

It is contemplated to provide a mechanism other than the bowden wirecable 48 for interconnecting the release handle 44 with the firstrelease structure 84, including a direct mechanical linkage comprised ofa single rigid or flexible mechanical member or a plurality ofcooperating rigid or flexible mechanical members interconnected, forexample, pivotally, through conventional gears or by any other suitablemeans.

It is also appreciated to make the unlocking of the rear legs 66, 117and the beginning of the tumbling movement of the vehicle seat assembly20 responsive to beginning the folding movement of the seat back 24.This function could be embodied in a vehicle seat which incorporates anyknown recliner or could be embodied in a vehicle seat which does notinclude a recliner.

Other variations of the invention are also contemplated. For example,the release mechanism 49 is shown mounted on the inboard riser 54 of theseat riser 28 and the bowden wire cable 48 is shown mounted on theoutboard riser 53. The bowden wire cable 48 and the release mechanism 49could be configured, however, to be mounted on either the outboard 53 orinboard 54 riser of the seat riser 28. They can also be on the same oropposite risers 53, 54 from one another.

It can be appreciated that seat riser 28 and the cooperative tracks 38are exemplary and that it is contemplated to use a wide range of trackconfigurations and other seat risers with a release mechanismconstructed according to the principles of the invention. The releasemechanism 49 can be incorporated into the tumble seat assembly withdisplaceable side handle release disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,965issued Sep. 30, 1997 to James G. O'Connor which patent is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.

It should also be noted that although the bowden wire cable 48 isvisible in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the wire cable 48 may be coveredwhen the vehicle seat assembly 20 is installed in the vehicle by a coverstructure. This may be done for aesthetic reasons and also to preventvehicle user contact with the wire cable 48.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. It isnow apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly (20)having an automatic retraction feature, said seat assembly (20)comprising; a seat cushion (22), a seat back (24) mounted to said seatcushion (22), a seat riser (28), having forward and rearward ends,mounted to said seat cushion (22) for supporting said seat assembly (20)in an operative position, an adjustment mechanism (30) mounted betweensaid seat cushion (22) and said seat riser (28) for providing selectedfore and aft adjustment of said seat cushion (22), a locking device(118) disposed on said adjustment mechanism (30) for selectively lockingsaid adjustment mechanism (30) and said seat cushion (22) to said seatriser (28), at least one rear seat support mounted to said rearward endof said seat riser (28) for supporting a rear portion of said seatassembly (20) while said seat assembly (20) is in said operativeposition, at least one front seat support pivotally mounted to saidforward end of said seat riser (28) for supporting a front portion ofsaid seat assembly (20) while said seat assembly (20) is in saidoperative position and for moving said seat assembly (20) to a tumbledposition with said seat cushion (22) pivoting upward about said frontseat supports, said seat assembly (20) further comprising a releasemechanism (49) mounted adjacent said adjustment mechanism (30) andselectively engaging said locking device (118) for automaticallyunlocking said adjustment mechanism (30) and moving said seat cushion(22) toward said aft position during movement of said seat assembly (20)to said tumbled position.
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid release mechanism (49) includes a housing (128) mounted to saidseat riser (28) for supporting said release mechanism (49) near saidadjustment mechanism (30) and said locking device (118).
 3. An assemblyas set forth in claim 2 wherein said release mechanism (49) furtherincludes a moveable portion (130) movably mounted within said housing(128) between a disengaged position spaced from said locking device(118) and an engaged position abutting said locking device (118).
 4. Anassembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said moveable portion (130)includes a projecting finger (152) engaging said locking device (118)when said moveable portion (130) is in said engaged position.
 5. Anassembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said release mechanism (49)further includes a pinion gear mechanism (132) coupled to said movableportion (130) for slideably moving said movable portion (130) betweensaid disengaged and engaged positions.
 6. An assembly as set forth inclaim 5 wherein said movable portion (130) includes a plurality of teeth(150) and said pinion gear mechanism (132) includes a gear use coupledto said teeth (150) for removing said movable portion (130).
 7. Anassembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said housing (128) includes aplurality of teeth (148) in opposing relationship to said teeth (150) ofsaid movable portion (130) with said gear (156) coupled between saidteeth (148) of said housing (128) and said teeth (150) of said movableportion (130).
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidpinion gear mechanism (132) further includes an actuation rod (154)having a first end mounted to said gear (156) and a second end mountedto said front seat support such that movement of said seat assembly (20)toward said tumbled position moves said housing (128) about said piniongear mechanism (132) which rotates said gear (156) and slideably movessaid movable portion (130).
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8wherein said housing (128) further includes a planar structure (134)mounted between said seat riser (28) and said adjustment mechanism (30)for supporting said release mechanism (49).
 10. An assembly as set forthin claim 9 wherein said housing (128) further includes a pair of legsinterlocking with corresponding apertures disposed within said seatriser (28) to fixedly secure said release mechanism (49) to said seatassembly (20).
 11. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein saidlocking device (118) includes a lock plate (170) selectively engagingsaid adjustment mechanism (30) to selectively lock said adjustmentmechanism (30).
 12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidlocking device (118) further includes an arm (188) having an upwardcamming edge (194) and a lower abutment surface such that said lowerabutment surface selectively engages said lock plate (170) to unlocksaid adjustment mechanism (30).
 13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12wherein said locking device (118) further includes a pivoting lever(174)having an upward portion (178) and a downward portion (180)with saidfinger (152) of said movable portion (130) engaging said downwardportion (180) to rotate said pivoting lever (174) and move said upwardportion (178) into engagement with said camming edge (194) of said arm(188) which pushes said arm (188) into engagement with said lock plate(170) to unlock said adjustment mechanism (30).
 14. An assembly as setforth in claim 13 wherein said adjustment mechanism (30) includes a stopstructure (184) and said pivoting lever (174) further includes anoutwardly extending arm portion (182) which engages said stop structure(184) to limit said pivotal movement of said pivoting lever (174). 15.An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one rear seatsupport comprises first (50) and second (51) rear legs each having arear latch (70, 71).
 16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 whereinsaid at least one front seat support comprises first (56) and second(62) front legs each having a front latch (66, 67).
 17. An assembly asset forth in claim 16 further including a spring system (106) mountedabout each of said first (56) and second (62) front legs to assist saidupward pivoting movement of seat assembly (20) during said tumbling ofsaid seat assembly (20).
 18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17further including a strut (230) mounted between said first (56) andsecond (62) front legs and corresponding first (50) and second (51) rearlegs for further assisting said upward pivoting movement of said seatassembly (20).